So, this last Wednesday night, I walked out of my junior high small group.

Now before you get mad about how I’m abandoning students and child endangerment, let me explain. I have about 8 guys who would be considered the “cool”ish guys of their class. With that, they tend to joke around and talk a lot. That’s nothing new, I’m used to junior highers. The problem is that this last year, it’s been more and more of a distraction, and it’s not like it’s just one guy, it’s all of them.

So, this last Wednesday, I couldn’t take it anymore, it was like herding a group of cats into a swimming pool, so I needed to do something that would catch their attention. Thoughts like yelling at them and punching them all in the face ran through my head, but those didn’t seem appropriate (or legal), so I didn’t do that. I was just simply quiet for about a minute and when the talking and joking around didn’t stop, I simply got up and walked out of the room for about 5 minutes.

When I came back into the room, there was utter shock on their faces. They said their apologies, but I continued to explain to them why I did what they did. I explained that I really want to spend time hanging out and being goofy with them, but my number 1 priority was to encourage them and help guide them spiritually. We talked about what was appropriate in group and consequences of disrupting the rest of the group (which includes warnings and duct tape, but hey they’re junior highers, it’s o.k. right?) etc. I’m hoping it was a turning point for our group and next week will go better.

It got me thinking about how our relationship goes with God sometimes. Sometimes we get so comfortable in our lives as Christ followers that we forget about the role God wants to play in our lives. We get comfortable going to church, talking like a Christian, acting like a Christian, that we forget that God wants to be there to help guide and encourage us. We never turn away from God, but we don’t pursue our relationship with Him either.

Then, BAM! something in our life happens, maybe is acquaintance, maybe it’s God trying to get our attention, I don’t know. Whatever it is, something happens that reminds us that we need God’s love, encouragement an guidance.

So how are you missing God’s role in your life? God calling out to you, trying to be that encouraging guide in your life, we just need to stop and listen to His call.

Isaiah 9:6
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince ofPeace.